Support for accumulator, outdoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

To provide a support for an accumulator capable of suppressing both traveling vibration and vibration during operation.SOLUTION: A support 101 for an accumulator supports an accumulator 50 of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The support 101 for an accumulator comprises an upper material 6 on which the accumulator 50 is placed, a bottom material 3 fixed to the outdoor unit, a vertical material 5 connecting the upper material 6 and the bottom material 3, and a reinforcing member 1 arranged between any two of the upper material 6, the bottom material 3, and the vertical material 5, and changing the rigidity of the support 101 for an accumulator depending on an arrangement mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an accumulator support, an outdoor unit, and an air conditioning device. [Background technology]

[0002] The outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes components such as an accumulator and a compressor inside its housing. The outdoor unit is installed on a piece of land, a building, etc., via legs. The accumulator and compressor are connected to each other via refrigerant piping.

[0003] Outdoor units are often transported to their installation sites by vehicle, but during transport, the vibrations from the vehicle are transmitted to the accumulator and the refrigerant pipe, which can cause stress and deterioration at the connection.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a support member that suppresses compressor vibrations to protect the connection parts during transportation. This support member is made up of a lower vibration-isolating support member with a lower elastic body and an upper vibration-isolating support member with an upper elastic body with a spring constant greater than that of the lower elastic body, and supports the compressor.

[0005] On the other hand, when the outdoor unit is in operation, the compressor itself vibrates, and this vibration is transmitted, for example, through the refrigerant piping, causing the accumulator to vibrate. This vibration of the accumulator is transmitted to the installation location via the housing, legs, etc., and is propagated to the land, building, etc., and also causes noise.

[0006] Here, it is conceivable that vibrations caused by the compressor could also be suppressed by using the support mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, this cannot be simply applied because the frequency of vibrations differs during transportation and during operation.

[0007] For this reason, it is conceivable to use different supports during transportation and during operation, but this would make the replacement work complicated and increase manufacturing costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-56355 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an accumulator support body that can suppress both vibrations during travel and vibrations during operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the accumulator support according to the present disclosure is an accumulator support that supports an accumulator of an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, and includes an upper member on which the accumulator is placed, a base member that is fixed to the outdoor unit, a vertical member that connects the upper member and the base member, and a reinforcing member that is arranged between any two of the upper member, the base member, or the vertical members and that changes the rigidity of the accumulator support depending on the arrangement form. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above configuration, the reinforcing member changes the rigidity of the accumulator support body depending on the arrangement form, thereby enabling the accumulator support body to suppress both vibrations during running and vibrations during operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an accumulator and an accumulator support according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an accumulator support body in a state where rigidity is high according to the first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an accumulator support body in a state where rigidity is low according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4]1A is a right side view showing a state in which rigidity is high, FIG. 1B is a right side view showing a state in the middle of deformation, and FIG. 1C is a right side view showing a state in which rigidity is low, of an accumulator support body according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A is a perspective view showing a state in which rigidity is high, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a state in which rigidity is low, of an accumulator support body according to a second embodiment; [Figure 6] 10A is a perspective view showing a state in which rigidity is high, FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a state in which rigidity is low, and FIG. 10C is a right side view showing a state in which rigidity is high, of an accumulator support body according to a third embodiment; [Figure 7] 10A is a perspective view showing a state in which rigidity is high, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a state in which rigidity is low, of an accumulator support body according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an outdoor unit according to first to fourth embodiments. [Figure 9] (A) (B) (C) (D) Perspective views of accumulator supports according to modified examples [Figure 10] 1A is a graph showing the vibration transmission force when a primary vibration is input to an accumulator support body according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B is a graph showing the vibration transmission force when a secondary vibration is input to the accumulator support body according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an accumulator support body (hereinafter simply referred to as a support body) according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. As shown in Fig. 8, the housing of the outdoor unit 201 includes side panels 57 that form the side surfaces of the housing, a top panel 58 that forms the top surface of the housing, a front panel 59 that forms the front surface of the housing, a rear panel 60 that forms the rear surface of the housing, and a base plate 54 that forms the bottom surface of the housing. The housing of the outdoor unit 201 is formed by assembling these components into a box shape. Mounting legs 51 that support the outdoor unit 201 are connected to the bottom of the base plate 54, for example, by welding. The mounting legs 51 are fixed to the ground, a building, etc., for example, by screws, thereby fixing the outdoor unit 201 to the ground, a building, etc.

[0015] The outdoor unit 201 includes, as internal components, a cooling fan 56 that forms an airflow, a compressor 52 that compresses the refrigerant, an accumulator 50 that separates the refrigerant into gas and liquid. The accumulator 50 and the compressor 52 are connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe 55. Although only one refrigerant pipe 55 is shown in FIG. 8, multiple refrigerant pipes are usually connected.

[0016] The compressor 52 is fixed onto a base plate 54, for example, by screws, via vibration-damping rubber 53 that suppresses vibration. The accumulator 50 is fixed to the base plate 54 via a support 101. The rigidity of the support 101 can be changed depending on the situation by deforming part of its configuration.

[0017] The support body 101 includes an upper member 6 on which the accumulator 50 is placed, a base member 3 facing the upper member 6, vertical members 5 connecting the upper member 6 and the base member 3, and a reinforcing member 1 that reinforces the support body 101. The support body 101 is formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate. The portion facing the vertical members 5 is open, and a space is formed between the upper member 6 and the base member 3. As shown in FIG. 8 , refrigerant pipes 81 and 82, electrical wires (not shown), etc. are arranged in the space defined by the upper member 6, the base member 3, and the vertical members 5 (hereinafter referred to as the open area). To facilitate maintenance of the refrigerant pipes 81 and 82, electrical wires, etc. inside the outdoor unit 201 by removing the side panel 57 of the outdoor unit 201, the support body 101 is open toward the side panel 57 and is installed on the base plate 54. The refrigerant pipes 81, 82, electric wires, etc. extend in a direction parallel to the base plate 54 and the vertical members 5 in the opening area.

[0018] Hereinafter, as shown in Figure 1, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is defined, in which the direction along one side of the upper material 6 is the X-axis direction, the direction along the other side perpendicular to the one side of the upper material 6 is the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Z-axis direction, and will be referenced as appropriate.

[0019] The upper member 6 is made of a plate-like member and has a fixing hole H formed in its center to fix the accumulator 50. A locking portion 2 for locking the reinforcing member 1 is formed in the center of the edge on the -Y side. The accumulator 50 is cylindrical overall, with both longitudinal ends formed as hemispherical shells. It is installed inside the outdoor unit with both longitudinal ends facing upright. To support the accumulator 50, the diameter of the fixing hole H is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the accumulator 50. When the accumulator 50 is placed on the upper surface of the upper member 6 and the bottom end of the hemispherical shell of the accumulator 50 contacts the edge of the fixing hole H, a portion of the end face of the accumulator 50 protrudes from the fixing hole H toward the bottom surface of the upper member 6, as shown in Figures 4(A) to 4(C). In this state, the contact points between the edge of the fixing hole H and the end face of the accumulator 50 are welded to fix the accumulator 50 to the support 101, as shown in Figure 2.

[0020] As will be described later, the locking portion 2 is formed at a position where it engages with the claw portion 7 of the reinforcing member 1. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 1 is disposed at the center of the edge on the -Y side of the base material 3, and the locking portion 2 is formed at the center of the edge on the -Y side of the upper material 6. The locking portion 2 is formed, for example, by forming a linear notch 9 in the center of the edge on the -Y side of the upper material 6 and curving the outer edge of the notch 9 in the Z-axis direction, using press working or the like.

[0021] The base material 3 is made of a plate-like member and is fixed to the inside of the housing of the outdoor unit 201, i.e., to the base plate 54. The base material 3 also has fixing portions 14 that fix the support body 101 to the base plate 54. The fixing portions 14 are, for example, screw holes, and the base plate 54 also has screw holes in the areas where the fixing portions 14 are located. The support body 101 can be fixed to the base plate 54 by screwing the fixing portions 14 into the screw holes of the base plate 54.

[0022] The vertical member 5 is made of a plate-like member and connects one side of the upper member 6 to one side of the base member 3. The upper member 6 and the vertical member 5, and the base member 3 and the vertical member 5 are each bent at a right angle. The base member 3, the vertical member 5, and the upper member 6 collectively function as an elastic body that supports the accumulator 50.

[0023] The reinforcing member 1 is disposed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, and is intended to change the rigidity of the support body 101 by reinforcing the support body 101. The reinforcing member 1 is made of a rectangular plate-like member, is continuous with the base material 3, and is integrally formed by cutting and raising it from the base material 3. The reinforcing member 1 is formed so that it can rotate around the groove portion as an axis by forming a groove at the connection point between the reinforcing member 1 and the base material 3. A claw portion 7 is formed at the tip of the reinforcing member 1, which can be engaged with the engaging portion 2 of the upper material 6. The claw portion 7 is an integral member with the reinforcing member 1, and is formed by bending the tip of the reinforcing member 1 at a right angle.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4(A), the length LA1 of the reinforcing member 1 is formed to be equal to the height of the opening area, that is, the length LA2 of the vertical member 5 in the Z-axis direction.

[0025] When not in use, the reinforcing member 1 is temporarily fixed to the base material 3 as shown in Figures 3 and 4(C). In this state, the rigidity of the support body 101 is relatively low. In addition, the physical parameters of the support body 101, such as the weight and size, are set so that in this state, the natural vibration of the support body 101 has a frequency different from the vibration frequency when the compressor 52 is in operation.

[0026] On the other hand, when transporting the outdoor unit 201, the reinforcing member 1 is rotated from the temporarily fixed state shown in Figures 3 and 4(C) to the state shown in Figure 4(B), and is rotated until it is approximately perpendicular to the plate surfaces of the upper material 6 and the bottom material 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 4(A), and the claw portion 7 is inserted into the locking portion 2.

[0027] 2 and 4(A), the reinforcing member 1 is in a tensioned state between the base material 3 and the upper material 6, and the rigidity of the support body 101 becomes relatively large. In addition, the physical parameters such as the weight and size of the support body 101 are set so that in this state, the natural vibration of the support body 101 becomes a frequency different from the frequency of the running vibration generated during transportation by vehicle.

[0028] On the other hand, after the outdoor unit 201 is transported and installed, the locking portion 2 and the claw portion 7 are released, and the reinforcing member 1 is rotated and returned to the state shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4(C) via the state shown in Figure 4(B), and temporarily fastened as necessary. This makes the rigidity of the support body 101 relatively small.

[0029] The materials of the upper member 6, the vertical members 5, the base member 3, and the reinforcing member 1 are not limited, but may be, for example, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, or alloys thereof.

[0030] According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the support body 101 can be changed by selecting whether or not the reinforcing member 1 is disposed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, i.e., whether or not the reinforcing member 1 is braced between the upper material 6 and the base material 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4(A), when the reinforcing member 1 is disposed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, i.e., when the reinforcing member 1 is braced, the rigidity of the support body 101 is higher than when the reinforcing member 1 is not disposed, which is particularly effective when transporting by vehicle. Specifically, when the outdoor unit 201 is transported by vehicle, the reinforcing member 1 is disposed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3. That is, the reinforcing member 1 is braced between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, thereby improving the rigidity. In this state, when a force that tends to narrow the opening area is applied due to vibrations during traveling, the reinforcing member 1 braces, preventing the opening area from being displaced. On the other hand, if a force acts in reaction to that force to widen the opening area, the claws 7 catch on the locking portions 2 and the reinforcing members 1 hold them in place, thereby preventing the opening area from being displaced. In this way, when the rigidity of the support body 101 is high, traveling vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the accumulator 50, making the accumulator 50 less likely to vibrate. As a result, stress is less likely to be applied to the connection portion with the refrigerant pipe 55, preventing fatigue damage to the refrigerant pipe 55.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(C), when the reinforcing member 1 is not installed, i.e., when the reinforcing member 1 is retracted, the rigidity of the support 101 is relatively low, which is particularly effective in suppressing vibration of the compressor 52 when the air conditioner is operating. Specifically, when the outdoor unit 201 is installed, the engagement between the locking portion 2 and the claw portion 7 is released, and the reinforcing member 1 is tilted to release the tension, thereby reducing the rigidity and the natural frequency. By lowering the natural frequency, the frequency is relatively far from the operating frequency of the compressor 52. In this state, even if vibration is transmitted from the compressor 52 to the accumulator 50, the operating frequency of the compressor 52 is far from the natural frequency of the support 101, so the vibration is not easily transmitted to the lower part of the support 101. As a result, the vibration is not easily transmitted to the lower part of the outdoor unit 201, which prevents problems such as vibration and noise from occurring in the land, building, etc. on which the outdoor unit 201 is installed.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the rigidity of the support body 101 can be changed simply by rotating the reinforcing member 1, making the work easy. Furthermore, the support body 101 can be formed almost entirely from a single plate-shaped member, reducing the number of parts and reducing manufacturing costs. Note that the claw portion 7 is an example of a first locking portion in the claims, and the locking portion 2 is an example of a second locking portion in the claims.

[0033] (Embodiment 2) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the reinforcing member 1 is formed by connecting it to the base member 3, but it may also be formed by connecting it to the vertical member 5 or the upper member 6. Below, a second embodiment in which the reinforcing member is formed by connecting it to the vertical member 5 will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), the support body 102 includes an upper member 6, a base member 3, a vertical member 5, and a reinforcing member 31 that reinforces the support body 102. The reinforcing member 31 is a rectangular plate-like member that is disposed between the upper member 6 and the base member 3 and is stretched between the upper member 6 and the base member 3 to reinforce the support body 102. The reinforcing member 31 is integrally formed from the same plate material as the vertical member 5 and is rotatable around an axis at a connection point between the two members. More specifically, one side of the reinforcing member 31 and the -Y side edge of the vertical member 5 form the connection point between the two members, and by rotating the reinforcing member 31 around the axis at the connection point, it is possible to select whether or not to place the reinforcing member 31.

[0035] The reinforcing member 31 has claws 32a and 32b at its corners, which lock the reinforcing member 31 to the top material 6 and the bottom material 3. One claw 32a is provided on each of the longitudinal edges of the reinforcing member 31, at the end on the top material 6 side and the end on the bottom material 3 side. One claw 32b is provided on each of the lateral edges of the reinforcing member 31, at the end on the claw 32a side. The claws 32a and 32b are integrally formed from the same plate material as the reinforcing member 31. The claws 32a and 32b are rotatable about the connection points between the reinforcing member 31 and the claws 32a and 32b, and by rotating the claws 32a and 32b, the reinforcing member 31 can be locked and unlocked.

[0036] The short-side length LB1 of the reinforcing member 31 is half the length LB3 of one side of the upper material 6 and the base material 3, and when the reinforcing member 31 is placed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, the end of the reinforcing member 31 is located at the center of one side of the upper material 6 and the base material 3. In addition, the long-side length LB2 of the reinforcing member 31 is equal to the height of the opening area, i.e., the length LB4 of the vertical member 5 in the Z-axis direction.

[0037] When the reinforcing member 31 is tensioned between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the reinforcing member 31 is bent toward the opening area around the connection point between the reinforcing member 31 and the vertical member 5 as an axis until the reinforcing member 31 is perpendicular to the vertical member 5. Furthermore, the claw portion 32a is bent toward the opening area around the connection point between the reinforcing member 31 and the vertical member 5 as an axis until the claw portion 32a is perpendicular to the reinforcing member 31. Furthermore, the claw portion 32b is bent around the connection point between the reinforcing member 31 and the vertical member 5 as an axis until the claw portion 32b is perpendicular to the reinforcing member 31. At this time, the upper material 6 and the base material 3 are sandwiched between the claw portions 32a and 32b. As a result, the reinforcing member 31 is engaged with the upper material 6 and the base material 3, and the reinforcing member 31 is positioned between the upper material 6 and the base material 3.

[0038] When removing the reinforcing member 31 from between the upper material 6 and the bottom material 3, as shown in Figure 5 (B), the engagement of the claw portions 32a and 32b is released, and the reinforcing member 31 is folded in the direction opposite to the opening area, with the connection point between the reinforcing member 31 and the vertical member 5 as the axis.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the support body 102 can be changed by selecting whether or not to place the reinforcing member 31 between the upper material 6 and the base material 3. As described above, when the outdoor unit 201 is transported by vehicle, the rigidity is improved by placing the reinforcing member 31. In this state, if a force that tends to narrow the opening area is applied due to vibrations caused by the vehicle traveling, the claw portion 32a catches on the upper material 6, and at the same time, the claw portion 32b catches on the base material 3, thereby preventing the opening area from being displaced. On the other hand, if a force that tends to widen the opening area is applied in reaction to this force, the claw portion 32b catches on the upper material 6, and at the same time, the claw portion 32a catches on the base material 3, thereby preventing the opening area from being displaced. In this way, when the rigidity of the support body 102 is high, traveling vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the accumulator 50, and the accumulator 50 is less likely to vibrate. As a result, stress is less likely to be applied to the refrigerant pipe 55, preventing fatigue damage to the refrigerant pipe 55.

[0040] On the other hand, when installing the outdoor unit 201, the engagement between the reinforcing member 31, the upper material 6, and the base material 3 is released, reducing rigidity and lowering the natural frequency. In this state, even if vibrations are transmitted from the compressor 52 to the accumulator 50 as the air conditioner operates, the operating frequency of the compressor 52 and the natural frequency of the support body 102 are far apart, so the vibrations are not easily transmitted to the lower part of the support body 102. As a result, vibrations are not easily transmitted to the lower part of the outdoor unit 201, preventing problems such as vibrations and noise from occurring in the land, building, etc. on which the outdoor unit 201 is installed.

[0041] Moreover, changing the rigidity can be done simply by rotating the reinforcing member 31, which is an easy operation. Furthermore, the support body 102 can be formed almost entirely from a single plate-like member, which reduces the number of parts and keeps manufacturing costs down. Note that the claw portions 32a and 32b are an example of a locking portion in the claims.

[0042] (Embodiment 3) In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the reinforcing member is composed of one member and reinforces the supports 101 and 102, but it may be reinforced by a plurality of members. Below, a support 103 according to a third embodiment in which the reinforcing member is composed of a plurality of members will be described, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

[0043] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), support body 103 comprises upper member 6, base member 3, vertical member 5, and reinforcing members 41 and 42 that reinforce support body 103. Reinforcing members 41 and 42 are rectangular plate-like members that are stretched between upper member 6 and base member 3 to reinforce support body 103. Reinforcing member 41 is integrally formed from the same plate material as upper member 6, and reinforcing member 42 is integrally formed from the same plate material as base member 3. Reinforcing member 41 is rotatable around an axis at the connection point between reinforcing member 41 and upper member 6, and reinforcing member 42 is rotatable around an axis at the connection point between reinforcing member 42 and base member 3. More specifically, one short side of reinforcing member 41 and the center of the edge on the -Y side of upper material 6 form the connection point between reinforcing member 41 and upper material 6, and one short side of reinforcing member 42 and the center of the edge on the -Y side of base material 3 form the connection point between reinforcing member 42 and base material 3. By rotating reinforcing members 41 and 42 around these connection points as axes, it is possible to select whether or not reinforcing members 41 and 42 are positioned between upper material 6 and base material 3 and tensioned.

[0044] The reinforcing members 41 and 42 partially overlap when bent at right angles to the top material 6 and the bottom material 3. The reinforcing members 41 and 42 are locked together at the overlapping portions to form a single continuous plate-like member.

[0045] The reinforcing member 41 has a claw portion 44 that can be inserted into an insertion hole 43 for locking that is provided in the reinforcing member 42. The claw portion 44 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member 41 and faces outward from the opening area when inserted into the insertion hole 43. The reinforcing member 42 has an insertion hole 43 into which the claw portion 44 is inserted. By inserting the claw portion 44 into the insertion hole 43, the reinforcing members 41 and 42 are locked to each other.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6(C), when the reinforcing members 41 and 42 are bent at right angles to the top member 6 and the base member 3, respectively, the claw portion 44 is spaced a distance of LC2 from the top member 6, and the insertion hole 43 is spaced a distance of LC3 from the base member 3. The sum of the lengths LC2 and LC3 is equal to the length LC1 of the vertical member 5 in the Z-axis direction.

[0047] When reinforcing members 41, 42 are disposed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, as shown in FIG. 6(A), reinforcing member 41 is bent around the connection point between reinforcing member 41 and upper material 6 as an axis until reinforcing member 41 is at a right angle to the upper material 6. Furthermore, reinforcing member 42 is bent around the connection point between reinforcing member 42 and base material 3 as an axis until reinforcing member 42 is at a right angle to the base material 3. Furthermore, claw portion 44 is inserted into insertion hole 43. As a result, reinforcing members 41, 42 are locked to each other and disposed between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, reinforcing support body 103.

[0048] When removing the reinforcing members 41 and 42 from between the upper material 6 and the base material 3, as shown in Figure 6 (B), the engagement between the claw portion 44 and the insertion hole 43 is released, and the reinforcing member 41 is folded toward the upper material 6 side, and the reinforcing member 42 is folded toward the base material 3 side.

[0049] According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the support body 103 can be changed by selecting whether or not to engage the claw portion 44 of the reinforcing member 41 with the insertion hole 43 of the reinforcing member 42, i.e., by selecting whether or not to place the reinforcing members 41 and 42 between the upper material 6 and the bottom material 3. As described above, when the outdoor unit 201 is transported by vehicle, the reinforcing members 41 and 42 are placed to reinforce the support body 103 and improve its rigidity. In this state, if a force that tends to narrow the opening area is applied due to vibrations caused by the vehicle traveling, the claw portion 44 gets caught in the insertion hole 43, preventing the opening area from being displaced. On the other hand, if a force that tends to widen the opening area is applied in reaction to this force, the claw portion 44 gets caught in the insertion hole 43, preventing the opening area from being displaced. In this way, when the rigidity of the support body 103 is high, traveling vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the accumulator 50, and the accumulator 50 is less likely to vibrate. As a result, stress is less likely to be applied to the refrigerant pipes 55, and fatigue damage to the refrigerant pipes 55 is suppressed.

[0050] On the other hand, when installing the outdoor unit 201, the reinforcing members 41, 42 are disengaged and removed from between the upper material 6 and the bottom material 3. This reduces the rigidity of the support body 103 and lowers the natural frequency. Even if vibrations are transmitted from the compressor 52 to the accumulator 50 as the air conditioning system operates in this state, the operating frequency of the compressor 52 and the natural frequency of the support body 103 are far apart, so the vibrations are not easily transmitted to the lower part of the support body 103. As a result, the vibrations are not easily transmitted to the lower part of the outdoor unit 201, and problems such as vibrations and noise in the land, building, etc. on which the outdoor unit 201 is installed are prevented.

[0051] In addition, changing the rigidity is easy, as it is only necessary to rotate the reinforcing members 41 and 42. Furthermore, most of the support member 103 can be formed from a single plate-like member, which reduces the number of parts and keeps manufacturing costs down.

[0052] Reinforcing member 41 is an example of a reinforcing member for the upper material in the scope of the claims, reinforcing member 42 is an example of a reinforcing member for the bottom material in the scope of the claims, claw portion 44 is an example of a first locking portion, and insertion hole 43 is an example of a second locking portion.

[0053] (Fourth embodiment) Although the supports 101, 102, and 103 according to the first to third embodiments are made up of plate-like members, they may have any shape and form as long as they can support the accumulator 50. Below, a support 104 according to a fourth embodiment in which the upper member 6, the vertical members 5, and the base member 3 are each made up of frame-like members will be described, focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0054] As shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the support body 104 comprises an upper member 6A, a base member 3A, a vertical member 5A, and reinforcing members 45 and 46 that reinforce the support body 104. The upper member 6A, the base member 3A, and the vertical member 5A each comprise four rod-shaped members of equal length, forming a rectangular frame. The upper member 6A and the vertical member 5A share one rod-shaped member, and the base member 3A and the vertical member 5A share one rod-shaped member. The upper member 6A and the vertical member 5A, and the base member 3A and the vertical member 5A are connected at right angles, respectively.

[0055] To fix the accumulator 50 to the upper member 6A, the hemispherical lower end surface of the accumulator 50 is brought into contact with the upper member 6A and the contact area is welded. Therefore, the dimensions of the upper member 6A are adjusted to allow contact with the hemispherical lower end surface of the accumulator 50. Accordingly, the dimensions of the bottom member 3A and the vertical members 5A are also adjusted to correspond to the dimensions of the upper member 6A.

[0056] The materials of the top member 6A, bottom member 3A, and vertical members 5A are not limited, but may be, for example, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, or alloys thereof. The cross-sectional shape of each frame is not limited, but may be, for example, circular. The frames are connected to each other by, for example, welding.

[0057] Reinforcing member 45 is connected to the edge on the -X side of upper material 6A so as to be rotatable around the connection point of both members as an axis, and reinforcing member 46 is connected to the edge on the -X side of base material 3A so as to be rotatable around the connection point of both members as an axis. Reinforcing member 45 and upper material 6A, and reinforcing member 46 and base material 3A are connected to each other by, for example, welding.

[0058] As in the third embodiment, reinforcing member 45 has claw portions 48 that can be inserted into locking insertion holes 47 provided in reinforcing member 46, and reinforcing member 46 has insertion holes 47 into which claw portions 48 are inserted. When claw portions 48 are inserted into insertion holes 47, reinforcing members 45, 46 are locked to each other. As a result, reinforcing members 45, 46 become a single continuous plate-like member, and the reinforcing member is disposed between upper material 6A and base material 3A, reinforcing support body 104. Support body 104 has two reinforcing members 45, 46.

[0059] When reinforcing members 45, 46 are disposed between the upper material 6A and the base material 3A, as shown in FIG. 7(A), reinforcing member 45 is bent around the connection point between reinforcing member 45 and upper material 6A as an axis until reinforcing member 45 is perpendicular to the upper material 6A. Also, reinforcing member 46 is bent around the connection point between reinforcing member 46 and base material 3A as an axis until reinforcing member 46 is perpendicular to the base material 3A. At this time, claw portion 48 is inserted into insertion hole 47. This causes reinforcing members 45, 46 to lock together.

[0060] When releasing the engagement of the reinforcing members 41 and 42, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the engagement of the claw portion 48 and the insertion hole 47 is released, and the reinforcing member 45 is folded toward the upper material 6A, and the reinforcing member 46 is folded toward the base material 3A.

[0061] According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained. In addition, while the first to third embodiments require processes such as punching and bending of a metal plate, the fourth embodiment does not require such processes, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, by changing the cross-sectional shape of the frame-like member used for the support 104, it becomes possible to fine-tune the rigidity of the support 104.

[0062] Reinforcing member 45 is an example of a reinforcing member for the upper material in the claims, reinforcing member 46 is an example of a reinforcing member for the bottom material in the claims, claw portion 48 is an example of a first locking portion, and insertion hole 47 is an example of a second locking portion.

[0063] (Variation) In the first embodiment, the upper member 6, the base member 3, the vertical members 5, and the reinforcing members 1 are each a metal plate, but are not limited to this. For example, the upper member 6, the base member 3, the vertical members 5, and the reinforcing members 1 may be made of resin.

[0064] In the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the upper member 6, the base member 3, the vertical members 5, and the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42 are integrally formed from a single member, but this is not limiting. For example, the upper member 6, the base member 3, the vertical members 5, and the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42 may be formed from separate members. In this case, the upper member 6, the base member 3, and the vertical members 5 are fixed to each other by, for example, welding.

[0065] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42 are made rotatable by thinning the connection portions between the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42 and other members, but the configuration for making the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42 rotatable is not limited to this. For example, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42 may be rotatably attached to other members by hinges.

[0066] In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, and 46 are arranged between the upper member 6, 6A and the base member 3, 3A, but this is not limiting. They may be arranged in other locations as long as the rigidity of the support can be changed. That is, they may be arranged between any two of the upper member 6, 6A, the base member 3, 3A, or the vertical member 5, 5A. Even in this case, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, and 46 can be switched between a reinforcing state in which they are arranged between at least two of the upper member 6, 6A, the vertical member 5, 5A, and the base member 3, 3A, and a non-arranged state, thereby changing the rigidity of the support 101-104.

[0067] In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, and 46 are plate-shaped members, but this is not limiting. As long as the rigidity of the supports 101 to 104 can be appropriately changed, the shape, material, and the like of the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, and 46 may be any shape, material, and the like. For example, they may be columnar.

[0068] In addition, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, and 46 are always connected to the upper members 6 and 6A, the vertical members 5 and 5A, or the base members 3 and 3A. The reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, and 46 may be configured to be separate from the supports 101 to 104 and attached and disposed as needed. For example, clips, clamps, or other gripping members may be placed on both ends of plate- or column-shaped reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, 46, and one gripping member may be attached to any one of upper members 6, 6A, base members 3, 3A, or vertical members 5, 5A, and the other gripping member may be attached to any other one of upper members 6, 6A, base members 3, 3A, or vertical members 5, 5A, thereby placing the reinforcing member between any two of upper members 6, 6A, base members 3, 3A, or vertical members 5, 5A, thereby reinforcing supports 101-104 and increasing their rigidity. In this case, too, by releasing the grip of the gripping members, reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, 46 can be detached from supports 101-104, thereby reducing the rigidity of supports 101-104. Furthermore, instead of using a gripping member, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, 46 may be connected or joined to other members by adhesive bonding, welding, fusion bonding, or bolts and nuts, etc. It is also possible to strengthen the state in which the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, 46 are placed on the supports 101 to 104 by fastening the connecting portions of the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, 46 to the supports 101 to 104 with bolts, for example.

[0069] The supports 101 to 104 according to the first to fourth embodiments may further include ribs 80 that improve the stability of the supports 101 to 104. As shown in Figures 9(A) to 9(D), the ribs 80 are in the shape of a right triangle and are arranged at the corners of the opening area formed by the top members 6, 6A and the vertical members 5, 5A, and at the corners of the opening area formed by the base members 3, 3A and the vertical members 5, 5A.

[0070] In the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, the reinforcing members 1, 31, 41, 42, 45, 46 reinforce the supports 101 to 104 between the upper member 6, 6A and the base member 3, 3A, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be disposed between any two of the upper member 6, 6A, the base member 3, 3A, or the vertical member 5, 5A. For example, they may be disposed between the upper member 6, 6A and the vertical member 5, 5A, or between the base member 3, 3A and the vertical member 5, 5A. [Example]

[0071] A finite element analysis was performed on the force of vibration transmitted from support 101 to base plate 54 (hereinafter referred to as vibration transmission force) when the air conditioner was operated after outdoor unit 201 was installed. In the analysis, it was assumed that support 101 was fixed to base plate 54 of outdoor unit 201, that support 101 supported accumulator 50, that accumulator 50 was connected to compressor 52 via refrigerant piping 55, and that compressor 52 was generating vibration.

[0072] Fig. 10(A) shows the analysis results for the primary vibration generated by the compressor 52 as a vibration element, and Fig. 10(B) shows the analysis results for the secondary vibration as a vibration element. The frequency of the primary vibration is equal to the operating frequency (Hz) of the compressor 52, and the secondary vibration is a vibration with twice the frequency of the primary vibration. The secondary vibration is generated by the electromagnetic force of the electric motor inside the compressor 52, the suction operation of the refrigerant, the discharge operation of the refrigerant, etc.

[0073] 10(A) and 10(B), the horizontal axis represents the operating frequency of compressor 52, and the vertical axis represents the vibration transmission force normalized to 1. Also, in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), the dashed line represents the change in the vibration transmission force of support body 101 when reinforcing member 1 is tensioned, and the solid line represents the change in the vibration transmission force of support body 101 when tension is released. More specifically, the dashed line represents the change in the vibration transmission force of support body 101 when the fundamental natural frequency (fnacc) is 40 Hz, and the solid line represents the change in the vibration transmission force of support body 101 when the fundamental natural frequency (fnacc) is 20 Hz.

[0074] When the primary vibration is transmitted to the support 101, the vibration transmission force is constant regardless of the operating frequency, but when the secondary vibration is transmitted to the support 101, the vibration transmission force increases significantly when the operating frequency is around 110 Hz.

[0075] From the above, it can be said that by releasing the tension of the reinforcing member 1 when installing the outdoor unit 201, reducing the rigidity of the support body 101, and lowering the natural frequency, it is possible to prevent vibrations from being transmitted from the support body 101 to the base plate 54 even if the compressor 52 generates secondary vibrations.

[0076] The following are additional notes:

[0077] (Appendix 1) An accumulator support body that supports an accumulator of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, an upper member on which the accumulator is placed; a base material fixed to the outdoor unit; A vertical member connecting the top member and the bottom member; a reinforcing member disposed between any two of the upper member, the bottom member, or the vertical member, and changing the rigidity of the accumulator support depending on the arrangement; A support for an accumulator comprising: (Appendix 2) The reinforcing member changes the rigidity of the accumulator support by switching between a reinforcing state in which it is disposed between any two of the upper member, the bottom member, or the vertical member, and a non-disposed state between the two. 10. A support for an accumulator as described in claim 1. (Appendix 3) the top member, the bottom member, the vertical members, and the reinforcing members are plate-like members, One end of the reinforcing member in the longitudinal direction is connected to the upper material or the bottom material so as to be rotatable about a connection point. 3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The other end of the reinforcing member in the longitudinal direction is provided with a first engaging portion that engages the reinforcing member with the top material or the bottom material, The upper material or the bottom material has a second locking portion corresponding to the first locking portion. 4. A support for an accumulator according to claim 3. (Appendix 5) the top member, the bottom member, the vertical members, and the reinforcing members are plate-like members, The longitudinal length of the reinforcing member is equal to the distance between the upper member and the bottom member, The reinforcing member is connected to one side of the vertical member so as to be rotatable about one side of the reinforcing member as an axis. 3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 6) The reinforcing member has locking portions at its corners for locking the reinforcing member to the upper member and the bottom member. 6. The support for an accumulator according to claim 5. (Appendix 7) the top member, the bottom member, the vertical members, and the reinforcing members are plate-like members, The reinforcing member includes a plate-shaped upper member reinforcing member connected to the upper member so as to be rotatable about a connection point as an axis, and a plate-shaped bottom member reinforcing member connected to the bottom member so as to be rotatable about a connection point as an axis. 3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 8) The upper member reinforcing member has a first engaging portion that engages the upper member reinforcing member with the bottom member reinforcing member, The base reinforcing member includes a second locking portion corresponding to the first locking portion. 8. The support for an accumulator according to claim 7. (Appendix 9) The upper member, the bottom member, and the vertical member are each a rectangular frame formed by combining rod-shaped members. 9. A support for an accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 8. (Appendix 10) The material of the accumulator support is metal. 10. A support for an accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 9. (Appendix 11) 11. A support for an accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 10. outdoor unit. (Appendix 12) 11. A support for an accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Air conditioner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Reinforcing member, 2 Locking portion, 3 Bottom material, 3A Bottom material, 4 Bending portion, 5 Vertical member, 5A Vertical member, 6 Upper member, 6A Upper member, 7 Claw portion, 9 Notch, 14 Fixing portion, 31 Reinforcing member, 32a Claw portion, 32b Claw portion, 41 Reinforcing member, 42 Reinforcing member, 43 Insertion hole, 44 Claw portion, 45 Reinforcing member, 46 Reinforcing member, 47 Insertion hole, 48 Claw portion, 50 Accumulator, 51 Mounting leg, 52 Compressor, 53 Vibration-proof rubber, 54 Base plate, 55 Refrigerant piping, 56 Cooling fan, 57 Side panel, 58 Top panel, 59 Front panel, 60 Rear panel, 80 Rib, 81 Refrigerant piping, 82 Refrigerant piping, 101 Support, 102 Support, 103 Support, 104 Support body, 201 outdoor unit, 301 support body, H fixing hole.

Claims

1. An accumulator support body that supports an accumulator of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, an upper member on which the accumulator is placed; a base material fixed to the outdoor unit; A vertical member connecting the top member and the bottom member; a reinforcing member disposed between any two of the upper member, the bottom member, or the vertical member, and changing the rigidity of the accumulator support depending on the arrangement; A support for an accumulator comprising:

2. The reinforcing member changes the rigidity of the accumulator support by switching between a reinforcing state in which the reinforcing member is disposed between any two of the upper member, the bottom member, or the vertical member, and a non-disposed state between the two.

2. A support for an accumulator according to claim 1.

3. the top member, the bottom member, the vertical members, and the reinforcing members are plate-like members, One end of the reinforcing member in the longitudinal direction is connected to the upper material or the bottom material so as to be rotatable about a connection point.

3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The other end of the reinforcing member in the longitudinal direction is provided with a first engaging portion that engages the reinforcing member with the top material or the bottom material, The upper material or the bottom material has a second engaging portion corresponding to the first engaging portion.

4. A support for an accumulator according to claim 3.

5. the top member, the bottom member, the vertical members, and the reinforcing members are plate-like members, The longitudinal length of the reinforcing member is equal to the distance between the upper member and the bottom member, The reinforcing member is connected to one side of the vertical member so as to be rotatable about one side of the reinforcing member as an axis.

3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The reinforcing member has locking portions at its corners for locking the reinforcing member to the upper member and the bottom member.

6. A support for an accumulator according to claim 5.

7. the top member, the bottom member, the vertical members, and the reinforcing members are plate-like members, The reinforcing member includes a plate-shaped upper member reinforcing member connected to the upper member so as to be rotatable about a connection point as an axis, and a plate-shaped bottom member reinforcing member connected to the bottom member so as to be rotatable about a connection point as an axis.

3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The upper member reinforcing member has a first engaging portion that engages the upper member reinforcing member with the bottom member reinforcing member, The base reinforcing member includes a second engaging portion corresponding to the first engaging portion.

8. A support for an accumulator according to claim 7.

9. The upper member, the bottom member, and the vertical member are each a rectangular frame formed by combining rod-shaped members.

3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The material of the accumulator support is metal.

3. The support for an accumulator according to claim 1 or 2.

11. 3. An accumulator support according to claim 1 or 2, outdoor unit.

12. 3. An accumulator support according to claim 1 or 2, Air conditioner.

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